USA Ryder Cup focus has already turned to the 2027 event at Adare Manor, where Tiger Woods has emerged as one of the frontrunners for the team’s captaincy.
Woods reportedly wants to be the US Ryder Cup captain two years from now, which would see him take over from Keegan Bradley.
The PGA of America have been told to keep Bradley as captain for Adare Manor in Ireland, host of the 2027 Ryder Cup.
But Bradley was the losing captain at Bethpage Black last month, where the US were defeated 15-13 by Luke Donald’s Europe.
Brandt Snedeker is an option for the US captaincy as well, while the names of Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk are also part of the current narrative.
A potential issue has been flagged if Tiger Woods captains the USA Ryder Cup team in 2027
Much of the discussion is, however, on legendary figure Woods, with Bob Harig sharing his verdict on the potential of the 15-time major champion to lead the US in Ireland next time out.
He said on 5 Clubs: “Historically it would be incredible if Tiger was to never be a Ryder Cup captain. Everybody on the US side with his type of pedigree has been a Ryder Cup captain.
“If you go all the way down the major winners, Jack [Nicklaus] did it twice, Walter Hagan did it six times at the beginning, Ben Hogan three, Arnold [Palmer] twice, Tom Watson twice.
“That would suggest that Tiger should do it at least twice. But I do think it used to be a bit more of an honorary thing.
“It was just sort of given to these guys at that sweet spot in their careers because it should. I think the job has evolved.
“You cannot just show up now and expect the Americans to win for you. I think they would play really hard for Tiger.
“I think it would make it that much more special to make the team knowing that Tiger is the captain, so I think that’s part of it.
“The guys who will be trying to play on the team are guys who have looked up to him and revere him. That is important. That matters.
“But is Tiger going to be invested? If he had been the captain this year how much would you have been around? He did not play a single event.
“Keegan played every Signature Event and played all the majors. You could say what did it matter? Well, it does matter.
“It matters to him. He was heartbroken a year ago when he thought he was going to miss the Signature Events.
“If you remember he got into the top 50 in the last spot in 2024. He wanted to be around where all the best players were going to be.
“Tiger is not going to be in that position. He is certainly not going to be playing all the Signature Events. Maybe he will play the majors and a few others.
“Does he show up a little bit more often? I’m not sure that a CEO type captain is what is needed any more. You have got to dig in and got to get into this.
“The Adare Manor thing is interesting. He has the friendship with JP McManus, that has been brought about as a reason for doing it.
“There is a sense that maybe going on the road is less pressure. It’ll be 34 years since they have won on the road.
“Tiger had not even won a US amateur yet when they last won on the road. So those would be things where maybe it’s like ‘hey he can be the conquering hero if he can pull it off’.
“So I do think we are going to see a decision a lot sooner this time and Tiger has been pretty good behind the scenes on various things over the years.
“He has been involved in past Ryder Cups, sometimes behind the scenes, he has been an assistant for both the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup, plus a Presidents Cup captain.
“I think one thing that will be interesting is that if he does take the job, does he assist Brandt Snedeker at the Presidents Cup.”
How did Tiger Woods perform as USA Presidents Cup captain in 2019?
Woods has, of course, enjoyed a stunning playing career, with a joint-record 82 PGA Tour wins among his honours list.
But the golfing icon has been absent from competition for some time due to injury, with a return date still up in the air.
| Events played | 378 |
| Wins | 82 |
| Cuts made | 339/378 |
| Runner-up | 31 |
| Third place | 19 |
| Top 5s | 163 |
| Top 10s | 199 |
| Official money | $120,999,166 |
That may, however, allow him to fully focus on a captain’s role should that be the American’s fate at Adare Manor.
But there is an important US team event before that, with Snedeker set to lead the home side at the 2026 Presidents Cup.
Having just served as vice captain to Bradley at Bethpage Black, he will take centre stage at Medinah next September.
Importantly, Woods declined the role of USA Ryder Cup captain for the event in New York, but he did enjoy a successful venture as Presidents Cup captain in 2019.
He adopted a playing captain role at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, scoring three points to help the USA beat the International team 16-14.
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